Constructed in 1799, Hawa Mahal is the most sensational monument in the city of Jaipur. The palace, overlooks one of Jaipur's main streets and was originally constructed to offer women of the court an upper hand, so that they can watch the activities taking place in the bazaar and the surrounding streets behind stone-carved screens. For this purpose, it was designed with over 900 niches, and the entire building is shaped like a crown adorning Lord Krishna's head.

The site offers superb views of the city, including the many old palaces and houses which were painted ocher-pink for the 1853 visit of Prince Albert. This five-story, pyramid-shaped structure is made up of small casements, each with tiny windows and arched roofs, beautifully modeled and carved. There is a total lack of ornamentation on the inner face of the building. The chambers are plain and more mass of pillars and passages leading to the top storey.

Famous for it's Beehive like structure, the entrance to the Hawa Mahal is in the rear side of the main building, the front portion of the building having no entry at all, unlike conventional buildings. The Hawa Mahal is made of red and pink sand stone, beautifully outlined with white borders and motif's painted with quick lime.

This five storey building of unusual architecture designed by Lal Chand Usta, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry made of red and pink sand stone, beautifully outlined with white borders and motif's painted with quick lime. Its facade from the road side makes Hawa Mahal look more like a delicate screen than a palace. This five-story, pyramid-shaped structure has tier after tier of 953 small casements, each with tiny lattice worked (Jali) pink windows, small balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices, exquisitely modeled and carved.

» Other Attractions Near Hawa Mahal

Jantar Mantar : This is one of the five observatories built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1716 AD to study the movements of sun, moon, planets & stars.

Govind Devji Temple : To the north of Chandra Mahal in the midst of the sprawling Jai Niwas Garden is the spireless temple of Lord Krishna. The idol wsa brought from Vrindavan and installed here by Sawai Jai Singh II as the tutelary deity. Today, the temple attracts devotees, from all over the country.

A delightful system of fountains is placed in the middle of the paved path between the Chandra Mahal and the Badal Mahal. The palace has extensive and sprawling gardens.

Amer Fort : At a short distance of 11 kms . from Jaipur, the Amer Fort complex stands amidst wooded hills overlooking the Delhi-Jaipur highway, with its forbidding ramparts reflected in the still waters of the Maota Lake below. One of the finest examples of Rajput architecture, it was the ancient capital of the Kachhawah rulers.

The original palace was built by Raja Man Singh and additions were made later by Sawai Jai Singh. Within the palace are the Diwan-e-Aam or the "Hall of Public Audience", the Diwan-e-Khas or the "Hall of Private Audience" and the Sukh Niws where a cool breeze blows across channels of water for the purpose of air-conditioning.

Ram Niwas Garden Central Museum (or Albert Hall Museum) :
Situated in the spacious and beautiful Ram Niwas Garden, the museum has a rare collection of art facts and craft items such as metalwork, ivory carvings, cane wood articles and exquisite pieces of jewellery, textile, pottery and paintings. It is particularly rich in specimen of embossed, hammered and chiselled brass wares.

The building was designed by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob in the modern Indo-Saracenic style and was built in 1886 A.D. when King Edward VII visited as the Prince of Wales.

» Places to Stay in Jaipur

There are several budget hotels and paying guest accommodations available in Jaipur. Heritage Hotel in Jaipur includes the Ramgarh Lodge, Royal Castle Kanota, Raj Mahal Palace, which pamper tourists with royal treatment. For budget vacationers, there are also Five star hotels that includes names such as Man Singh Towers, Hotel Jaipur Palace, The Ethnic Village Resort. Many Jaipur hotels are a part of leading hotels chains like the Taj Hotels and Resorts, Oberoi group of hotels, Welcome group of hotels, and the Mansingh group of hotels.

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» Best Time to visit Jaipur

Summer ranges from 25°C to a maximum of 45°C, while winter lies between 22°C to a low of 8°C. The rainy seasons are very humid starting from July to mid September. The best time to visit Jaipur is between October to March.

» How to Get there

Air : Indian Airlines connect Jaipur with Delhi, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Bombay, Varanasi, Calcutta, Ahmedabad.

Rail : Jaipur is connected by rail with Delhi, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Abu Road (Mount Abu), Udaipur, Bombay and Sawai Madhopur.

Road : Good motorable roads connect Jaipur with Delhi 258 km, Agra 236 km, Bikaner 321 km, Udaipur 405 km, Ajmer 131 km, Jodhpur 316 km, Bharatpur 176 km, Jaisalmer 638 km and Bombay 1202 km

» Climate of Jaipur

Like most other north Indian cities, Jaipur too has extreme climate. The summers can be very hot with mercury crossing 45 degree, whereas winters are chilled and the temperature can fall below 5 degrees.